Re: Composition, Duties, and Responsibilities of the University Radiation Safety Committee

The mission of the Radiation Safety Committee is to ensure the safety of the University and community in the utilization of all radioactive materials and radiation producing devices at the University or by University faculty, staff, or students.

Definitions.

For the purposes of this Memorandum, the University shall mean all teaching, research, and outreach programs conducted at any Purdue University campus and at any other Purdue operated property.

Radioactive material refers to any solid, liquid, or gas that emits radiation spontaneously.

Radiation, as used herein, refers to both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation including x-rays, gamma rays, alpha and beta particles, high speed electrons, neutrons, protons, other nuclear particles, and microwaves; but not including laser light.

Radiological safety refers to the safe use and handling of radioactive materials or radiation in any application, including but not restricted to teaching, research, development, and medical diagnosis and therapy.

The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) shall consist of faculty and staff, who by their knowledge and experience and under Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) guidelines are qualified to make judgments and formulate policy in the areas of radiological safety. RSC members are appointed annually by the President upon the recommendations of the Vice President for Physical Facilities and the Vice President for Research in consultation with the various deans.

The chairman, a member of the faculty, will be appointed in a similar manner. The chairman will preside at the regular meetings of the committee, assure timely reviews of new projects, report as needed to the aforementioned vice presidents, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the committee.

The Head of Radiological and Environmental Management with the approval of the RSC will appoint the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The RSO should be an individual trained in the area of radiological science or health physics. The background of the RSO will be such that the individual is acceptable to the NRC as specified in the Draft Regulatory Guide dated April 1982, "Qualifications for the Radiation Safety Officer in a Large-Scale, Non-Fuel Cycle Radionuclide Program" or equivalent guidance. The RSO will report directly to the Head of Radiological and Environmental Management. The Head will be responsible for implementation and enforcement of policies and procedures promulgated by the Radiation Safety Committee. The Head and the RSO shall be ex officio members of the RSC but shall not hold the position of chairman of the committee.

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Radiation Safety Committee include, but are not limited to:

Assume responsibility, from the standpoint of radiological safety, for all University programs involving radioactive materials or radiation producing devices. This includes formulation of policy in this area and the establishment of safety standards.

Ensure that Radiological and Environmental Management provides faculty, staff , and students with appropriate training and information in the area of radiological safety and its applicable rules and regulations.

Review and approve or disapprove the use of radioactive materials or radiation producing devices within the institution from the standpoint of radiological safety. The committee may prescribe special conditions, requirements, and restrictions as may be deemed necessary to protect any person from hazards associated with radioactive materials and the operation or use of radiation producing devices on the Purdue University campus, and other Purdue operated properties. Such conditions, restrictions, and requirements shall in all cases be consistent with any existing federal or state regulations governing such use. Committee or interim approval of radiological safety measures must be obtained before any project involving radioactive materials or radiation producing devices is initiated. Special conditions may include but not be limited to: physical examinations, additional training, limited areas of use, disposal regulations, and posting requirements.

Establish policies under which the Head of Radiological and Environmental Management or the Radiation Safety Officer shall serve as the University's liaison with the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Midwest Compact Commission in matters of registration, licensing, radiological health and radioactive or mixed waste disposal.

Keep a record of the actions taken in approving the use of radioactive materials and radiation producing devices and of other transactions, communications, and reports involved in the work of the committee.

Submit an annual report detailing the activities of the committee to the Vice President for Research and the Vice President for Physical Facilities.

Actions taken by the Radiation Safety Committee may be appealed by the staff member or department concerned through the appropriate Vice President to the President of the University for final decision, with the knowledge and consent of the dean or director of the school involved, and knowledge of the chairman of the Radiation Safety Committee.

The chairman of the committee or the RSO, or their duly authorized representatives, are authorized to act (under policies established by the committee) for the committee between meetings (interim approval), reporting actions taken to the committee for review at appropriate intervals.

The RSO or his/her designee, consistent with the protection of University employees, students, visitors, the public, and the environment, is authorized to:

Carry out unannounced inspections and radiation surveys of any University facility.

Order immediate shutdown or cessation of work in any facility where it is evident that safety hazards exist to the extent of endangering health, safety, property, or to the extent that continued operation would result in any violation of existing federal, state, or University regulations.